Friday Drink Special: Red Beer

An offbeat beer cocktail that'll bring some heat to game day.

We’ve reached a very special time of year: the end of tomato season and the beginning of football season. This only happens once annually, so this is the perfect opportunity to drink red beer, which is basically just beer and spiced up tomato juice. In fact, the “red” part of red beer is quite similar to a bloody mary mix, but since tomatoes are so beautiful and bountiful right now, it’s made with fresh ones.

This drink isn’t super boozy, so you can put back quite a few of these over the course of a game. Plus, you’re getting at least a few nutrients.

Fresh Red Beer

Lemon slice

Smoked sea salt

2 medium red tomatoes, peeled and roughly chopped

½ to 1 teaspoon Sriracha — depending on how much spice you want

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

¼ teaspoon garlic salt

Black pepper

4 dashes Lemon Bitters

1 pilsner beer

Glassware: Pint glass, mason jar, or red plastic cup

Method: Moisten the rim of the glass with a lemon slice, gently roll the rim of the glass on a plate of the smoked salt, and set aside. Puree the tomatoes in a blender, then add the Sriracha, cayenne pepper and garlic salt, plus smoked sea salt and black pepper to taste. Mix until incorporated, adding more salt and pepper if necessary, then pour into the glass. Top off with the beer and lemon bitters, stir gently, and enjoy (not with a straw, or you won’t taste the salt).